Shoe Insert

ABSTRACT

A shoe insert operable to inhibit a small toe of a human foot from propagating outward from a sandal style or open style shoe design. The shoe insert further includes a body that is planar in manner and being arcuate in shape. The body has an outer surface and an inner surface wherein the outer surface includes an adhesive that is operable to releasably secure the body to a portion of a shoe. The body further includes a securing portion that is operable to extend underneath a portion of the foot of a user subsequent the user placing their foot having the shoe insert disposed therein. The body of the shoe insert is manufactured from a translucent soft rubber material.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to shoes, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a shoe insert that is operable to be inserted and releasably secured within certain styles of shoes in order to maintain the toes of a user within the shoe.

BACKGROUND

There are millions of styles of shoes that are worn for various purposes. Conventional shoe types include but are not limited to work boots, athletic shoes and sandals. Each type of shoe is designed to accommodate a users' needs for a particular event or purpose. By way of example but not by way of limitation, various types of athletic shoes are made for running or other sports and are built to enhance the users' experience and comfort while performing the activity.

One popular style of shoe for women are sandal and/or strap-style shoes. These style shoes are made for both casual and formal occasions and worn with frequency by women. The strap-style shoe does not have a closed design around the front and forward sides of the foot. The design of the strap-style shoe includes a plurality of straps or similar form of material that extend from one side of the shoe to the opposing side to form an open-style shoe wherein the foot is surroundably encircled by the strap design of the shoe but also wherein there are voids intermediate the straps of the shoe. Those skilled in the art understand there are numerous designs of strap-style shoes.

One problem with strap-style or open shoes is the location of the straps often do not provide the securing of toes of the user. In particular, many designs of open or strap-style shoes are such that the small toe of the user is often left exposed and unprotected by the design of the shoe. Due to variations in the size of feet, many wearers of the open or strap-style shoe will have an issue with their small toe propagating out from the shoe wherein at least a portion thereof is exposed. This is very uncomfortable for the user and additionally provides a possibility for damage to the small toe of the wearer during the use of these particular styles of shoes.

Accordingly, there is a need for a shoe insert that is operably to be releasably secured within an open and/or strap-style shoe that functions to prevent the small toe of the wearer from propagating from the shoe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a shoe insert, wherein the shoe insert is operable to be releasably secured within an open or strap-style shoe.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a shoe insert for an open and/or strap style shoe that is releasably secured within the shoe such that the shoe insert is adjacent to the small toe of a wearer's foot.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a shoe insert operable to be releasably secured within an open and/or strap-style shoe that is generally transparent.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an open and/or strap-style shoe insert that is curved and elongated in shape.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a shoe insert for an open and/or strap-style shoe that is adjacent to the small toe of a wearer wherein the shoe insert functions to inhibit the small toe from propagating outward from the shoe.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a shoe insert for an open and/or strap-style shoe that is manufactured from a flexible material.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a shoe insert for an open and/or strap-style shoe that is operable to protect the small toe of a user wherein the shoe insert includes an outer surface wherein the outer surface includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective end view of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a shoe insert 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic.

Referring in particular to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 herein the shoe insert 100 further includes a body 10. The body 10 is generally planar in manner and arcuate in shape being manufactured from a suitable durable translucent material. More specifically but not by way of limitation, in a preferred embodiment the body 10 is manufactured from a clear soft rubber material. The body 10 includes an outer surface 15 that is operable to be adjacent a portion of the exemplary shoe 99 as illustrated in particular in FIG. 3 herein. The outer surface 15 further has disposed thereon an adhesive layer 16 that is operable to releasably secure the body 10 in its desired position within the exemplary shoe 99. While no particular adhesive is required, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the adhesive layer 16 is manufactured from a pressure sensitive adhesive. Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous types of adhesives could be utilized to form the adhesive layer 16. The body 10 further includes an inner surface 30 that is adjacent the exemplary small toe 98 subsequent a user placing the shoe insert 100 into an exemplary shoe 99. In its preferred embodiment the body 10 is manufactured from a moldable material so as to allowing conforming of the shape by a user for a particular shoe 99. Such a material will facilitate the maintenance of the shape of the body 10 subsequent being releasably secured within the exemplary shoe 99. While no particular length for the body 10 is required, good results have been achieved utilizing a body 10 that approximately one and a half to two inches in length.

The body 10 includes first end 35 and second end 37. First end 35 and second end 37 are rounded in form so as to provide the desired fit and comfort for the user of the shoe insert 100. The rounded form of the first end 35 and second end 37 provide a comfortable fit once the shoe insert 100 is adjacent an exemplary small toe 98 of a human foot 97. The rounded form of the first end 35 and second end 37 further provides the ability to be camouflaged by at least a portion of the exemplary shoe 99 so as to minimize the affect on the cosmetic appearance of the shoe 99. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the body 10 is manufactured from a material that can be cut proximate the first end 35 and second end 37 by the user. This will facilitate the customizing of the desired length by the user for a particular shoe style.

The body 10 of the shoe insert 100 further includes a lower perimeter edge 25. The lower perimeter edge 25 extends outward from corner 29 creating securing portion 27. Subsequent to being disposed within the exemplary shoe 99 the securing portion 27 will extend so as to be adjacent a portion of the inner sole of the exemplary shoe 99. As the user places the foot 97 into the shoe 99 at least a portion of the bottom of the foot 97 will be superposed the securing portion 27 of the body 10. This structure provides additional securing of the shoe insert 100 during use thereof. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the lower perimeter edge 25 could be formed in various shapes so as to create a securing portion 27 having various sizes and shapes and still achieve the desired functionality as described herein. Opposite the lower perimeter edge 25 is the upper perimeter edge 20. The upper perimeter edge 20 is generally linear in manner and is positioned such that it is proximate the upper surface of the small toe 98 of the foot 97.

Referring in particular to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, a description of the operation of the shoe insert 100 is as follows. In use, a user will place the shoe insert 100 within the interior of the exemplary shoe 99 in a position where the small toe 98 of the user will be ensuing the placement of the foot 97 therein. The adhesive layer 16 on the outer surface 15 will engage portions of the shoe 99 so as to assist in the releasable securing thereof. During insertion of the shoe insert 100, the moldable material of the shoe insert 100 will allow the shoe insert 100 to be conformed to the curvature of the portion of the shoe 99 with which it is engaged. This ensures a more comfortable fit of the shoe insert 100 for the user. Following the insertion of the foot 97 a portion of the bottom of the foot 97 will be superposed the securing portion 27 of the body 10. This provides additional securing of the shoe insert 100 so as to substantially inhibit any movement of the shoe insert 100 during walking.

In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shoe insert comprising: a body, said body being generally planar in manner, said body having an arcuate shape, said body being translucent, said body further including an outer surface and an inner surface, said outer surface operable to engage a portion of an interior of a shoe; and wherein said body is operable to inhibit a small toe of a user from propagating outward from the shoe.
 2. The shoe insert as recited in claim 1, and further including an adhesive layer, said adhesive layer being disposed on said outer surface of said body, said adhesive layer operable to releasably secure the shoe insert to an interior portion of a shoe.
 3. The shoe insert as recited in claim 2, wherein said body further includes a lower perimeter edge, said lower perimeter edge extending outward forming a securing portion, said securing portion being adjacent a bottom of a user's foot.
 4. The shoe insert as recited in claim 3, wherein said body is manufactured from a moldable material.
 5. The shoe insert as recited in claim 4, wherein said body further includes a first end, said first end being generally arcuate in shape.
 6. The shoe insert as recited in claim 5, wherein said body further includes a second end, said second end being generally arcuate in shape.
 7. The shoe insert as recited in claim 6, wherein said body is manufactured from rubber.
 8. A shoe insert operable to inhibit a small toe of a human foot from propagating outward from a shoe comprising: a body, said body being generally planar in manner, said body having a first end and a second end, said body having an arcuate shape, said body being translucent, said body further including an outer surface and an inner surface, said outer surface operable to engage a portion of an interior of a shoe, said inner surface being adjacent a small toe of a human foot during use of the shoe insert.
 9. The shoe insert as recited in claim 8, wherein said outer surface of said body further includes an adhesive material on at least a portion thereof.
 10. The shoe insert as recited in claim 9, wherein said body further includes an upper perimeter edge and a lower perimeter edge operable to define the width of the body.
 11. The shoe insert as recited in claim 10, wherein said lower perimeter edge extends outward so as to define a securing portion.
 12. The shoe insert as recited in claim 11 wherein said securing portion is superposed by a portion of a user's foot during use of the shoe insert so as to assist in inhibiting movement of the shoe insert.
 13. The shoe insert as recited in claim 12, wherein said body of the shoe insert is manufactured from a moldable material.
 14. The shoe insert as recited in claim 13, wherein said body is approximately 1.5 inches in length.
 15. A shoe insert configured to be releasably secured with the interior volume of a sandal style shoe so as to be positioned to be adjacent the small toe of a user's foot so as to inhibit the small toe from propagating outward from the sandal style shoe comprising: a body, said body being generally planar in manner, said body having a first end and a second end, said body having an upper perimeter edge and a lower perimeter edge, said body being arcuate shape, said body being manufactured from a translucent material, said body further including an outer surface and an inner surface, said outer surface operable to engage a portion of an interior of a shoe, said inner surface being adjacent a small toe of a human foot during use of a shoe having the shoe insert secured therein.
 16. The shoe insert as recited in claim 15 wherein said body further includes a securing portion, said securing portion being proximate said lower perimeter edge, said securing portion operable to have a portion of a user's foot superposed thereon during use of the shoe insert.
 17. The shoe insert as recited in claim 16, wherein said body is manufactured from a moldable material.
 18. The shoe insert as recited in claim 17, wherein said outer surface further includes a pressure sensitive adhesive thereon.
 19. The shoe insert as recited in claim 18, wherein said body is manufactured within a range of 1.5 to 2 inches in length.
 20. The shoe insert as recited in claim 19, wherein said body is manufactured from a soft rubber. 